Sportsmail's racing Christmas gifts

What to buy your racing-mad friend or relative when it comes to choosing a book as a Christmas gift is always a puzzle but Racing Correspondent MARCUS TOWNEND has a few suggestions to help you.

TAKING MY TIME (George Baker)

When jockey George Baker went to ride on the frozen lake at St Moritz in February 2017, it was an opportunity to experience racing on 'White Turf', one of the most spectacular and glamorous racing locations in the world.

It turned out to be Baker's last ever ride. The jockey, on the crest of a wave after riding his first Classic winner the previous year, sustained serious head injuries when his mount fell fatally after putting its foot in a hole in the ice.

'Taking My Time' tells the story of George Baker's life and career

'Taking My Time', which Baker has written in conjunction with journalist Tom Peacock, tells the story of the jockey's life and career but the most striking sections cover his recovery and recuperation from the fall that changed the direction of his life.

It can all be read with the reassurance that Baker is now recovered and forging a new career in broadcasting. But the stories of how, for a short time, his recovering brain transformed his character are told with both candour and humour. It makes 'Taking My Time' more than the standard autobiography and a fascinating read.

(Racing Post books, £20)

WORLD RACECOURSES (Cornelius Lysaght)

If you dream of visiting and experiencing racing and racecourse around the world, this is for you. BBC Radio racing correspondent Cornelius Lysaght has compiled a book which is packed with fascinating facts about 100 of the best and most interesting racecourses on the globe.

His prose is accompanied by some striking photographs.

Some of the tracks are close to home - Ascot, Newmarket and the Curragh - but Lysaght has used his atlas to find feature racing venues from every continent.

It really makes you want to visit them. I have certainly added Gavea in a fashionable superb of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil to my bucket list. The track which lies in the shadow of Corcavado Mountain and Rio's iconic statue of Christ The Redeemer looks spectacular.

(Harper Collin, £25)

World Racecourses is packed with facts about 100 of the globe's most interesting racecourses

THE SCUDAMORES - THREE OF A KIND

This book which chronicles three generations of one of the most successful families in British jump racing history is written in an usual but immensely readable style.

Journalist Chris Cook was able to speak to eight-time champion jockey Peter Scudamore and his successful jockey son Tom. He also had access to taped interviews conducted by Chris Haslam, one of Tom's teachers, with Michael Scudamore, father of Peter and grandfather of Tom, before he died.

It has allowed Cook to write the book in the style of a conversation involving three generations of the same family. The stories are in insight into the family dynamic as they discuss the great horses they have ridden, injuries, and their attitude to the sport.

They include the admission from Tom that is late grandmother had tried to feed him up to try to ensure he grew too big and heavy to follow in the footsteps of his grandfather and father into the dangerous occupation of being a jump jockey.

(Racing Post books, £25)

A YEAR IN THE FRAME (Edward Whitaker)

If you like racing pictures, you will surely enjoy the work of award-winning photographer Edward Whitaker. His latest book is not a pictorial journey through 2018, but a trip through events which make up a racing year.

Whitaker has an eye for a striking picture and included in his collection is the shot of a horse and rider silhouetted against the super moon at the end of January this year which was taken in Lambourn.

It was an image which earned Whitaker the accolade of 'Picture of the Year' from his colleagues at the recent Horserace Writers & Photographers Derby Awards.

(Racing Post books, £30)

A Year In The Frame takes you on a trip through events which make up a racing year

CRISIS - A Dick Francis Novel (Felix Francis)

For many of us, the annual Dick Francis novel was a Christmas stocking regular with the book being devoured before the year was out.

Francis' son Felix has picked up the baton and Crisis is typical Francis material. Harrison Foster, a London based lawyer with no racing knowledge, is despatched to Newmarket after a fire at a stable kills six valuable horses, including the Derby favourite owned by a Middle Eastern client of Foster's firm.

Foster's brief to make sure no scandal emerges that can harm his client but that leads to his investigations into the dysfunctional Chadwick family, who harbour a sinister secret.

As in all Francis novels there is also the obligatory love interest for the main character.

Critics might argue Francis novels are formulaic but they are also compulsive. You should be galloping to the final chapter to find out who and why?